A perfect mess

Sometimes being a clusterfuck of ideas, visuals and music is not a bad thing. A Clockwork Orange contains a manic pace, and the content it delivers during it's running time is astounding. It is perhaps one of the more or less uneven films of all time, jumping back and forth between gritty realism and realms of fantasy. However it is always a controlled lunacy. Kubrick never lets go of the strings he holds as puppet master to this cruel play. The bizarrely theatrical dialogue is always a bit out there, but never too much. Alex's journey has events symbolically and visually bizarre, but that might just be true some day. McDowell as Alex is twisted and insane, but only because he seems to have abslolutely nothing else to be in this world, as is evidenced by his perpetual and general uselessness after being cured from his "disease." A Clockwork Orange really is too many things in one movie, but it never felt overtly huge in content to me despite being so on paper. It deals with themes of growing up, govermental activities, our correctional system, medical facilities, religion, hope and many more all under a single roof. But as I said, Kubrick simply doesn't let go of this film. He always has everything under control, knowing exactly what he is doing and why. If this movie had been made by any other crew and it had as much content, it would be ludicrous and bizarre. As it is, it works as a testament to Kubrick's skills in filmmaking more than anything else. A Clockwork Orange is a film about everything aimed at everyone, but not nearly all of them will ever be able to embrace the full scope of it.

10/10